Failure to Complete Infection Screening Evaluation Prior to Antibiotic Use
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to complete the McGeer Criteria Infection Screening Evaluation for one of two sampled residents who was prescribed antibiotics. Specifically, a resident with a history of cerebrovascular accident with hemiplegia, congestive heart failure, and hypertension was admitted and later readmitted to the facility. The resident was noted to have severely impaired cognitive skills and was totally dependent on staff for daily care activities. A physician ordered Clindamycin for a sacral wound infection, but the Infection Preventionist Nurse (IPN) did not complete the required McGeer Criteria Infection Screening Evaluation form within three days of the antibiotic order. During a review of the resident's clinical records, the IPN confirmed that the form, which serves as a guide to determine if the resident meets the criteria for antibiotic use, was not filled out. The facility's policy and procedure on infection surveillance requires the use of standard definitions and criteria for infections, but this was not followed in this case. The IPN acknowledged that without completing the evaluation, she could not validate the appropriateness of the antibiotic prescribed.